Dodge Dart at Fitzmall (Park)

[glhs837]

So, considering a new car in that class (sub-intermediate, large compact) and found out Park Dodge has one. Not the highest end model, but as impressive as I expected. Did the pricing on the Net, oddly enough, it and the Focus sedan were within $500 or so dollars of each other.

Had the manual with the 1.4 liter turbo with the Fiat MultiAir technology, on startup sounded very nice, reminded me of my old turbo Neon. Wouldnt get that one, wife only drives autos, and no turbo with the slushbox. Sadly.

Were we buying tomorrow, would be a tossup between the Focus and the Dart, I think. Although a wild card like the Optima might creep in, but a 20 mile ride to the dealership would most likely kill that option.

 

[CrashTest]

Had a new Focus as a rental car a few weeks ago for a trip to Philly. By the time I got there, my back was toast. Couldn't hardly walk.

 

[Crewdawg141]

So, considering a new car in that class (sub-intermediate, large compact) and found out Park Dodge has one. Not the highest end model, but as impressive as I expected. Did the pricing on the Net, oddly enough, it and the Focus sedan were within $500 or so dollars of each other.

Had the manual with the 1.4 liter turbo with the Fiat MultiAir technology, on startup sounded very nice, reminded me of my old turbo Neon. Wouldnt get that one, wife only drives autos, and no turbo with the slushbox. Sadly.

Were we buying tomorrow, would be a tossup between the Focus and the Dart, I think. Although a wild card like the Optima might creep in, but a 20 mile ride to the dealership would most likely kill that option.

So did you get to test drive the car? If so how was it in acceleration and handling?

 

[GWguy]

I had no idea the Dart name was still around. Thought it had been retired long ago.

 

[withrespect]

Had a new Focus as a rental car a few weeks ago for a trip to Philly. By the time I got there, my back was toast. Couldn't hardly walk.

I also had a 2012 Focus as a rental a month ago. I would never buy one. Ever.

I think it would be a good car for a teenager maybe...or a college student...without back problems or kids...who isn't tall.

 

[glhs837]

Didnt drive it, was on the way home and didn't want to take the time. Did start it up, and liked the exhaust note. Supposed to be 160hp with 180ish torque. Should be enough for most folks. Thats 40 ftlbs more torque than the 2 liter.

And theres a 2.4 liter on that way with MultiAir, but the kicker is that SRT is supposed to be working a new version motor for this car also. I suspect a turbo MultiAir 2.4, to go in the SRT DArt and the upcoming SRT Journey.

Given the intake design, add in direct fuel injection, no reason that they cant pull in the area of 300hp and even more torque. But that's certainly not a car we would buy for the wife to drive. But only because she isn't into driving cars with silly amounts of power.

GW, in this case, unlike the Charger, there really inst any reason for folks to cry foul, since the new car fits in where the old one did, although intermediate size is a bit smaller today than back then.

 

[somdfunguy]

I had no idea the Dart name was still around. Thought it had been retired long ago.

they flipped a coin to decide between Neon or Dart

 

[limblips]

Anything that has the Fiat name involved is a good one to steer away from IMO. I had a Fiat 128 3P. POS! Also drove others including the 500, Spyder... All POS's.

 

[bcp]

Anything that has the Fiat name involved is a good one to steer away from IMO. I had a Fiat 128 3P. POS! Also drove others including the 500, Spyder... All POS's.

Funny how that works, Ive never really heard anything bad about Fiat (although I will heed your experience should I ever look at one)
However, After having three Chrysler products, I can honestly say that I would never consider purchasing another one. I think I would rather have an old Yugo (the youngsters will have to google that) than a brand new Chrysler.

I dont even let them park in my driveway for fear of them infecting my cars.

 

[glhs837]

Ah, lim, all makers have had bad stretches, (1970s, I'm looking at you) I would hardly judge a maker forever based on a couple of cars from decades ago. Hell, Chevy made the Chevette, Ford made the Pinto, and all makers have such examples.

 

[garyt27]

I have heard many people say not to buy a car in the first year, they gotta work the problems out first.
Not high on Chrysler products except the Town and Country minivan.

 

[glhs837]

I have heard many people say not to buy a car in the first year, they gotta work the problems out first.
Not high on Chrysler products except the Town and Country minivan.

I have too, but my last two new purchases were first year, and haven't had any significant issues. And those they did have were promptly taken care of.